The Detroit City Council has passed a new ordinance that raises the fines for parents whose children are caught violating city curfew laws.
The fine for a first violation is now $250, and $500 for any additional offenses. The previous fines were set at $75 and $100. Parents who cannot afford to pay may be offered alternative options, such as completing a court-approved parental responsibility program.
The move comes as Detroit police report a spike in youth-related incidents. Between July 8 and July 25, officers recorded 143 juvenile curfew violations and issued 81 parental responsibility tickets. A total of 178 citations were issued to Detroit residents, while 46 went to non-residents.
According to the city’s curfew, kids 15 and younger must be with a parent after 10 p.m., while teens aged 16 and 17 have to be off the streets by 11 p.m.
City officials say the goal is to curb youth violence.
“Just this past weekend, I had a 13-year-old that we arrested after curfew set multiple collision shops on fire. That’s totally not acceptable. 13. I had another roughly 15-year-old that was out about 2, 3 o’clock in the morning with a-gun and ended up shooting themselves in the hand,” Chief Todd Bettison said.
Officials emphasized the updated policy focuses on intervention, not incarceration.
The ordinance is also designed to reach non-Detroit parents who drop their children off in the city and leave. The message, city leaders say, is simple: accountability applies to everyone.
